Governor-General quits

26 May 2003 — 10:00am

The Governor-General, Peter Hollingworth, has resigned, blaming "misplaced and unwarranted allegations" for forcing him from office.

Accepting no responsibility for the events that have plunged the vice-regal office into turmoil, Dr Hollingworth said yesterday that he had taken his decision "with deep regret and after much thought".

"It is clear that continuing public controversy has the potential to undermine and diminish my capacity to uphold the importance, dignity and integrity of this high office that I have been privileged and proud to occupy. I cannot allow that to occur."

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The announcement followed the release this month of the findings of an Anglican Church inquiry critical of Dr Hollingworth's actions over a child sex scandal while he was archbishop of Brisbane in the early 1990s.

It also comes after the collapse on Friday of a civil action based on 40-year-old rape claims against him. Dr Hollingworth vehemently denied the allegations.

The Prime Minister, John Howard, will visit Government House today to accept Dr Hollingworth's resignation. He will then inform the Queen and begin the transition to a new appointment.

A spokesman for Mr Howard said the two men had spoken at the weekend, but that "this was the Governor-General's decision". Mr Howard will make a statement on the resignation today, but has set no timetable for announcing a successor.

The Governor of Tasmania, Sir Guy Green, will remain as administrator until Dr Hollingworth's successor is appointed.

A spokesman for Dr Hollingworth said he would make a detailed statement later this week, possibly in the form of a televised address to the nation.

Andrew Reynolds said Dr Hollingworth was primarily concerned about the impact on his office of the controversies over the church report and the rape allegations.

"The Governor-General always said that the dignity of the office and how it is perceived would be his main considerations in his decision, and they were," he said.

The emergence at the weekend of a letter from Dr Hollingworth to his successor as Archibishop of Brisbane, David Aspinall, concerning another child sex case had not had any bearing on his decision.

The Prime Minister had maintained throughout the controversy that there was nothing in Dr Hollingworth's actions as Governor-General to justify his sacking. But he repeatedly refused to comment on whether he believed he should resign.

Mr Howard was under intense pressure last night from political opponents to consult widely before choosing a replacement.

The Opposition Leader, Simon Crean, said Dr Hollingworth's resignation was the correct decision for the nation and the victims of child sexual abuse. "The great tragedy, of course, is that it is a decision that was not taken a long time ago."